By JONAS TERRADO
CHRISTIAN Standhardinger said winning his first Best Player of the Conference award was something he didn’t expect.
“It was completely unexpected and really surprised that I got that,” the NorthPort big man said after receiving the award before Wednesday’s Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“But I’m honored and (I) appreciate it,” added Standhardinger, who described his first major PBA award as a collective effort. “We can’t forget that this is a team effort and not only of the NorthPort team, but also of the people that I surround myself in day-to-day life.”
Standhardinger earned the nod after compiling 1011 points to beat out former San Miguel Beer teammate June Mar Fajardo and TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro, the BPC winners of the previous two conferences.
The Fil-German was unleashed after being traded from SMB in exchange for Mo Tautuaa last Oct. 14.
He led a late NorthPort to secure a playoff spot as the No. 8 before playing a major role in stunning top seed NLEX by winning twice in the quarterfinals.
Standhardinger, who averaged 17.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 15 games, received 396 statistical points, 433 media votes, 32 player votes and 150 votes from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.
Fajardo had 438 statistical points, four media votes, 140 player votes and 75 votes from the PBA Commissioner’s Office while Castro registered 357 statistical points, 216 media votes, 42 player votes and zero votes from the Commissioner’s Office.
Rounding out the derby are Columbian’s CJ Perez with 506 points and NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena 481 points.
